Sattriya culture is a unique creation by Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1568), the saint of versatile abilities of fifteen century Assam, who had contributed to the fields of literature, music, theatre, religion, dance and many other allied art forms. The saint also developed an unique way of life to the people, amalgamating the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of life, an art of living which is relevant still today. This way of life became the paramount principle of Sattriya culture. It came to be known as the mati- akhora- the ground exercise, which is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual abilities.

 This article will focus and elaborate how the mati- akhora becomes the paramount principle of Sattriya culture and how it can give new direction to the contemporary life of people in a highly stressful and competitive world.

In Assamese language mati-akhora means exercise done on the ground. “Mati’ means ground or soil and ‘ Akhora’ means exercises (practices, Rehearsal, training, work out, apply etc.) It is worth mentioning that the Sattriya dance training begins with the mati- akhoras. Mati- akhoras are the foundation for the learners to make a healthy physical, mental and spiritual set-up which is very necessary for a classical dancer. It is worth mentioning that though the mati akhora is necessary and foundation of Sattriya dance, but it has an universal application.   Firstly, we will discuss the physical aspect of mati-akhora. Srimanta Sankaradeva, was an avid reader of Yoga sastra and had acquired high proficiency in the yogic practices.1. It is to be mentioned that the different types of  yogic exercises seem to have been practiced in Assam since early times. Especially nathism seems to have been prevalent in Assam since the time earlier than Sankaradeva. The nathas are also known as yogis and various forms of yoga practices have been once religiously and culturally practiced among them. So, in this context we can assume that Sankaradeva must have taken some elements from the yogic postures of the yoga system or yoga sastra.

The body exercises are essential for any dancer to gain body flexibility was never an unknown fact for the saint. Many of the postures of mati- akhoras have striking similarities with the yogic postures. For example : odha lon of mati akhora is similar with the yogic posture sirsasan, thiyo lon of mati- akhora is similar with the yogic posture chakrasan, kasobandh is with padmasan, some portion of posola tola of mati- akhora is with ardha chakrsan, hat pokuwa of mati akhora is with yogic posture hat or hasta sansalan etc. Likewise, there are lots of similarities between mati- akhoras and the yogic postures. So, mati akhoras are not only for the dancer, but also beneficial for all human being for maintain a physically and mentally strong and healthy life.

Mati – akhoras have some philosophy behind it. This philosophy helps the people to lead a spiritual, moral and systematic life, which is very essential in the present world. For example- behind of “Khosoka” or Dandawat” mati-akhora we observe a spiritual aspect, which has a big impact over the people. In Assamese khosoka means to cause to be trampled, kneaded etc. dandawat means prostration, the act of falling down at full length on the ground in veneration or humanity.

Mati- akhora begins with this particular bhangi. As per this mati- akhora, to make the body of the disciples fit for learning dance, the guru steps on the disciple’s body while the disciples lie down on the ground and slowly starts massaging with his feet. Through this mati akhora the disciples body becomes tune  and flexible. Back bone becomes strong, flexible, smooth etc. which is very necessary for a dancer and for all human to maintain a healthy life. It is worth mentioning that this mati- akhora helps the people not only to make a strong and flexible body, but also develops tolerance, obligation and obedience in mind, which is very important for a bhakti based culture – Sttriya culture.

There is a philosophy behind this mati-akhora. The Vaishnavism pursued by Srimanta Sankaradeva and Sri Sri Madhavadeva, bhakti is the main substation or foundation. Here bhakti is expressed into nine (9) different ways. They are –a) Shwabanam (listing), b) Keertanam (singing, reciting), c) Smaranam (remembering), d) Archanam (offering), e) pada-sewanam (touching the feet) f) Dasya (devotee), g) Sakhittwa (friendship) h) Vandanam (glorifying), and i) Atma-nivedanam (Self submission). It is worth mentioning that ‘ Atma-nivedanam bhakti is related in khosoka or dandawat mati-akhora. Through this mati-akhora disciple physically and mentally completely surrender before Guru, the dance form and the Lord. This philosophy is applicable to whole Assamese society, because Sattriya culture is the life line of Assamese society, where tolerance, obedience mind etc. are the principle of discipline l